Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
um, so it's just you, the lagoon birds and the wind at your backs. Itineraries range from a
circuit of outlying lagoon desert islands or Lido beaches to a slow drift from the Grand
Canal through Venice's maze of canals at sunset.
Vento di Venezia (
Click here
) offers sailing classes for the day or longer, plus stays at
the hotel near the Isola di Certosa marina.
Boating
Terra e Acqua (
Click here
) offers wild rides to the outer edges of the lagoon with skipper
Cristina della Toffola. Itineraries are customised, and can cover abandoned plague-quar-
antine islands, fishing and birdwatching hot spots, Burano and Torcello. Cristina serves
fish-stew lunches and cocktails on board at picturesque island mooring spots, and takes
the utmost care to preserve the fragile lagoon ecosystem en route. Trips accommodate up
to 10 people on a sunny, sturdy motorised
bragozzo
, which makes trips sociable and easy-
going for those not accustomed to boats.
Natura Venezia
(
www.natura-venezia.it
; )
organizes longer sustainable travel circuits of
the lagoon with trained environmental guides. The four-day 'Invisible Venice' circuit cov-
ers untouristed corners of Cannaregio, a bike-ride excursion on Sant'Erasmo, a
cicheti
(Venetian tapas) tour, and a visit to the wild islands of Torcello and San Francesco del
Deserto. Week-long family-oriented trips are also available.
Eolo Cruises
( 049 807 80 32; Via Mantegna 11, Brugine)
covers the lagoon on a double-masted
1946 fishing
bragozzo
for one- to eight-day trips (per person from €2000 for six to 10
people), including on-board cooking tours. Guests sleep in selected villas and
palazzi
in
Venice or around the lagoon, spend the day sailing and eat seafood lunches on board.
Rendez-Vous Fantasia
( 041 551 04 00;
www.rendez-vous-fantasia.com
;
weekend from €528, week from €924)
lets you literally live on the lagoon by renting out houseboats; moorings are in Chioggia.
Tours on Land
Guided Tours of Major Sights
Many major sights offer guided tours, especially Venice's civic museums. Basilica di San
Marco offers free mosaic tours run by the diocese; the Itinerari Segreti (Secret Passages)
tour of the Palazzo Ducale leads through hidden doorways to the attic prison inside the
doge's pretty pink palace; Palazzo Mocenigo offers monthly guided visits to see fragile
300- to 400-year-old fashions inside the palace's walk-in closet attic (
Click here
); and
